Dodge Cummins Diesel - First-Gen Performance

Big Horsepower For Your '89-'93 Cummins Diesel

A shortcut to power is a P7100 injection pump swap. Unless you have a donor engine or access to a Cummins junkyard, many people find it easier to source a complete second-gen engine from a '94-'98 1/2 Dodge and drop it in.

A shortcut to power is a P7100 injection pump swap. Unless you have a donor engine or acce

As newer and flashier trucks became available, many people forgot about the older '89 to '93 Dodges. There's no doubt that this early 5.9L Cummins is a workhorse, but can it make power? The answer is, yes it can, and we've provided some suggestions on how it can be done. We'll go over the parts you need to really pump up your first-gen, compile a list of resources that are VE-pump friendly, and even give you a mini buyer's guide. Let's make some power!

The BasicsIn 1989, Dodge introduced its 160hp Cummins-powered Ram 3/4-and 1-ton trucks into the market. They were non-intercooled, and actually made about 200 hp, rather than the advertised 160 hp. They were available with either a five-speed Getrag manual transmission, or a 727 Torqueflite three-speed automatic. In stock form, both the automatic and manual transmission-equipped trucks were gearing-limited, giving them a top speed of about 75 mph. The Cummins 12-valve engine was fitted with a Bosch VE rotary pump, which hid some free modifications that could give these early trucks more power. In the next few years, the Dodges gained an intercooler and an extra gear in the transmission, but other than those two changes, the '91 1/2-'93 models were virtually the same as '89-'91 1/2 trucks.

InjectorsIf you're going to try to build a 5.9L Cummins with a VE injection pump to make more than 400 horsepower, you'd better have some big injectors. The Bosch rotary pump only puts out about 17,000 psi of pressure versus more than 25,000 psi for '03-and-newer common-rail injection systems. This means that since there is no way to up the pressure to increase the amount of fuel that is sprayed into the engine, more volume (larger injectors) is your only solution.

Lucas Prince of Darkness injectors (commonly referred to as POD's) are a good starter injector, although they are smoky, and your mileage may suffer. Dynomite Diesel also offers injectors for first-gens that are a bit more expensive, but they make for a great daily-driver injector, and can still make good power. For those sled pulling guys who aren't worried about smoke or EGTs, custom six-hole injectors with .016-inch or .018-inch orifices (referred to as 6x16s or 6x18s) are available from places like Scheid, Buddha Power, and New Era Diesel.

Right now, the most powerful VE-pumped, Cummins-powered '89-'93 Dodge belongs to Jeremy Torgensen. He's made 680 horsepower with water-methanol injection-a record that's stood since 2005.

Right now, the most powerful VE-pumped, Cummins-powered '89-'93 Dodge belongs to Jeremy To

Helping Torgensen's truck make big power is a 14mm injection pump head from Brian Block, along with some pump tuning that he did with help from Ponci's Diesel Center. Air is supplied by a custom-built compound-turbo setup.

Helping Torgensen's truck make big power is a 14mm injection pump head from Brian Block, a

Tim Worline makes these awesome, stainless CoolerTubz which can add some bling and power to any first-gen. Worline's truck puts out 350 hp to the wheels with some basic mods-a $99 intercooler he picked up off of eBay, and a 62mm S300 turbo.

Tim Worline makes these awesome, stainless CoolerTubz which can add some bling and power t